I'm DITCHING Basic Tarantula Husbandry - HERE'S WHY!

[@tarantulacollective]

Get 12% OFF your ENTIRE order from THE BIO DUDE when you use the code TARANTULA12 at checkout: www.thebiodude.com www.thebiodude.com?sca_ref=4441978.ijfbObsauy

[@JustArtsCreations]

The idea that wildlife wouldnt do well in something recreating..the wild..is insane to me lol. It just makes sense that what you are doing would be good when done right. Thanks for the vid!

[@BuinidhMoChridheDoAlba]

Think it's more concern that stuff can be contaminated. But if stuff is gotten from the countryside or just somewhere unaffected by chemicals, it will be fine

[@JustArtsCreations]

@@BuinidhMoChridheDoAlba "when done right. "

[@citizenoftheninthdivision]

Dave at Dave's Little Beasties literally grabs soil, moss and bark from the forest. 👍🏻

[@mr.nobody2244]

Yeah. He's a keeper type 1: breeder and seller. Knows a lot about arachnids.

[@PegzieBean]

@@mr.nobody2244 I feel like he's in between. He doesn't make his enclosures appealing to the viewer but he does make them specifically for the spider to ensure they are happy & suits their needs

[@mr.nobody2244]

@@PegzieBean 💯 true

[@BrettOPediaTV]

dude right?! Isn’t Dave the best? I call him the Michael Caine of tarantulas haha

[@candyscott489]

Wouldn’t it be awesome to not have to pay for all that stuff 😊

[@Spider_Manda]

I’ve always kept all my animals in natural and/or bioactive enclosures, for more than 20 years. It’s always just made sense to me! Keeping animals in conditions as close to their natural environments just always seemed ‘right’. Im so happy to see this taking off in mainstream husbandry!

[@IDMike2008]

Today's Unsolicited Motherly Advice - You aren't abandoning the basics of husbandry - I don't think we'll be seeing sponges in your water dishes or terrestrial enclosures with 12 inch drops. You are moving into a more advanced level of husbandry, definitely. And that's great. I love that you stay on top of the current research and bring those interviews with scientists in the field to your channels. I also think it's fantastic that you are putting into practice what you're learning. Don't cheapen what you are actually doing such a good job with hyperbole and click-baity titles. You don't need it. What you're doing is already spectacular. Have confidence that will bring in the audience on its own.

[@itchywitch5923]

I personally enjoy watching my spiders more in a natural looking environment. The whole presentation makes me happy. 😊

[@angelhaloheart]

Something I really appreciate is how you are so open to change and bettering yourself so that your animals can not just be kept, but thrive! I think this is an important mentality for anyone who is an animal keeper. It's true that we all have different situations, but what matters most is that we keep doing our best. :)

[@321cynth]

I can tell you are taking care of your animals through all your videos. Those who complain are somehow missing your care involved. Keep up the great work and love your videos!

[@mr.nobody2244]

Your videos are pure eye candy. Keeper type 2 reporting in. The more naturalistic, the better.

[@marjorieinverts]

How ANYONE can argue against naturalistic enclosures and lots of enrichment for any type of animal blows my mind.

[@Aethuviel]

I come from the bird world, and I can tell you that not too many years ago (around 2010), it was the norm in the US to believe that ALL birds (parrots) SHOULD have their wings clipped. Forever. Coming from that absurd world, I tend to not listen at all to people who dogmatically preach about how animals "don't need XYZ". From birds supposedly not needing flight, to reptiles not needing enrichment, to spiders not needing heat and humidity reflecting their natural environment.

[@alpoh]

I love that you made this video! This is exactly how I strive to keep my animals. My sister has 4 tarantulas (3 of which I bought) and I taught her how to do bioactives and naturalistic set ups. It encourages their natural behavior and mood. One of my favorite things to do is making enclosures. I just feel like I can really make it my own, while still encapsulating nature and realistic environments. I have an A. chalcodes in a bioactive, and she loves exploring and is the sweetest, most docile T I've ever met. She has never kicked a hair, and she doesn't even move a muscle when I open her enclosure.

[@DLJames-gf1xr]

I just moved my B. Smithi sling from her 3 inch cube into a 6 inch cube. She is thoroughly enjoying it and i wish id done it sooner. i can tell she is happy as she's already eaten a roach. the best part is she has increased ventilation now, and when she reached the bigger air holes she froze and just hung out there for a while getting fresh air. Ill be getting bigger enclosures for my other slings now, nothing huge, just more enriching.

[@BrAnarkey]

Love your videos. I did not like spiders before but am now a new spider owner. I’m a beginner and went with bioactive because that’s what I do for my fish and I love it so far.

[@TheInvincibleArmour]

You have definitely worked your way up to this. Years and years of experience, I feel this is what every creepy crawly pet collector should aim for.

[@vukpik]

You are currently the most inspiring tarantula youtuber for me. I belive it's because I am on a much different level than few years ago, and your videos also changed their level😃💪

[@nathanrupley]

One nice thing about upgrading to larger naturalistic enclosures is that I have been able to add a small heat lamp to one end of the enclosure. My A. chalcodes comes out almost every day to bask.

[@mr.nobody2244]

Same experience. People in the hobby generally advice against heat, but my spiders love sunbathing. Do they need it? Probably not. Do they like it? It seems so....they aren't hiding or avoiding it. If you're careful about it and monitor everything, i don't think heat is bad for them. They come from tropical climates, so....

[@Anjiko-Z]

I'm a huge house plant lover... I have almost 80 in my home and I just want to say I loooooove the plants in your new enclosures. Calatheas, monsteras, polka-dot plants....beautiful! My a. seemanni has an enclosure full of begonias that he likes to walk around.

[@FoxglovedLove]

The things some people will get online and fuss about amazes me. I think it's a great idea to have your pets in whatever type of set up keeps them healthy and that you can maintain well. So what if an animal doesn't use all the space it's not hurting anyone and better to have a little more space than to not have enough. I love seeing your set ups and can't wait to see how the rest come out!

[@mariestubbs4606]

Nine times out of ten if something looks boring it is, every creature needs enrichment to keep them stimulated and contented no matter the species I just love to see your Ts and spiders in the great enclosures you do looking forward to following where this journey takes you ...

[@Vain-Voyager]

I'm also adopting the naturalistic setup for all my arthropods. That looks great & better observation on their natural behavior. I've also learnt a lot regarding botany throughout the process. Plants are also fascinating!

[@plasticbile8617]

Thank you for making this video, it's really encouraging. I've been struggling lately mentally and really slacking on my tarantula care. But I've been motivated lately to change it around and I'm treating him much better, and planning on making him a bioactive tank. I was reading conflicting information on how worth it it is. But your video has definitely made feel like I'm doing the right thing!

[@michaelworch7737]

Bro, you are killing it!

[@FangsLegs]

I love it! I’ve been wanting to improve my enclosures, and this has given me the motivation and inspiration to do some upgrades. Thanks for another great video Richard. 😊

[@BuinidhMoChridheDoAlba]

It's so easy. You will find most/everything you need in a wooded area.

[@alkggkla5643]

I love the bioactive naturalistic enclosures! They're a more natural-like environment for the critters, as well as more visually appealing for the hoomans! Like having a little indoor garden landscape ❤

[@taebias]

I like the nod/comment to specify this isn't necessary for beginners, and you might be a unique situation. But it's still a cool approach and good idea! I'm about 7 months into keeping Ts and already getting better at building good enclosures. Building my first bioactive here soon for a T Blondi. I like seeing good ideas for future enclosures! Thanks Richard!

[@yellowskrub]

Really cool and inspirational video. Thanks for making em :)

[@robotbutterflies]

I'm really excited to see the different things you put together! I'm always looking for different ideas and ways to improve my enclosures.

[@IRUNWITSCISSORZ]

This, by far, is the coolest channel, IMO. I like how much Richard actually cares about the hobby of the health of the Ts.

[@tylociraptor8131]

YASSS this is so the way. There's nothing WRONG with doing a basic setup, mind. But you get to see more natural behavior when you replicate the ecosystem they are from more closely!

[@audreyobumani9115]

I recently got my first tarantula because of your channel! (Brachypelma boehmei) thanks for the information you bring to us, can't wait to watch more!

[@Jeremy-kg1zr]

Thank you SO much for spreading the idea of basic decency toward the animals you keep. Of Course tarantulas appreciate more room and more natural environments. Literally Any animal is going to prefer being kept in a larger and more natural environment. I've been saying this randomly on forums and occasionally replying to videos and facebook posts for years, but for the most part avoid the forums, etc, because there are so many shitbags who will attack you for promoting basic decency toward your animals. It's sad. What you're doing is fantastic. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@tarantulacollective]

Thanks so much!

[@AnthonyMcqueen1987]

Your channel is my go too for more information when i get my first tarantula, i was about to make that mistake of going to the pet store and buy one without research.

[@danielwilliams1359]

Brilliant video brooo👍💯 Come to think about it, it makes sense that they will be more relaxed and docile when there enclosure is mimicked to their natural environment, being able to tap into their natural instincts towards a environment their species is familiar with making them more comfortable with their surroundings👊

[@jeffsummerhill]

I've sunk soooo much money into them, but each one of my 18 tarantulas have always been in "natural habitat" enclosures (some in 30 gallon tanks) and they all seem to love it and very comfortable.

[@MrMyrmex]

Epic video. I love the logic and look forward to seeing how this progresses and seeing the long-term effect on your animals.

[@kevinfaucheux7563]

I can't wait to watch you put together the new enclosures

[@junk3r]

Full support towards a potential invert zoo. It would absolutely help educate but, also fight the stigma that arachnids have always had. Keep pushing this hobby forward in positive direction that it fully deserves, Richard!

[@blab1231]

To be a type 2 keeper is my aspiration. Glad to see so many share this opinion.

[@MrDrinkblood]

Awesome video. I would have to agree with you. I have been going natural with all my animals. My Tortoise for example has a way bigger enclosure than basic needed size. His heat, humidity is all correct. He has no pyramiding. And is very healthy. My next goal is to do the same with our ball python. I feel so bad just looking at him in his Tupperware bin. I definitely think it would benefit the animal. I always think now, how I would enjoy spending my ENTIRE life in a tiny little bin.

[@MrBeeMeR320D]

YAY! You choose the right way 🥰 Great video 👍👍👍

[@candyscott489]

You Go Richard !!! I’m with you 💯percent 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@deandracarter8468]

I love this, and thank you for sharing this information. The way that I'm understanding this and taking the information in is loosely comparing it to my fish keeping journey. After lots of reading, watching videos, and synthesizing all that info, i decided to abandon (for the most part) the more traditional way of fish keeping. We settin up whole ecosystems now! tPlants, beneficial bacteria from multiple sources, wood pieces, clean up crews, and other organisms that are not harmful for the fish. It might not be as pretty to look at. But it is more self-sustaining and better for the fish. So taking some of those components and applying that to caring for my tarantulas? Makes so much sense. Again, thank you for sharing this as well as continuing to follow and share the new research coming out about these amazing creatures.

[@kenophillips7726]

I myself have been keeping a couple of tarantulas and will be switching over to bio active for them both. Since I started watching your videos you have helped me to learn more and be able to care more for my tarantulas. Than you for what you have done and are doing keep up the good work.😊😊😊

[@juniadventures]

Your providing knowledge and options to the community… =value, especially to me as I am gathering information to learn. Thank you 💯

[@murissalove]

Love your videos!! I'm fairly new to the hobby as a keeper but this has been my goal to keeping my little cuties. I've been doing crazy research and learning how to keep all my critters in the most natural or bioactive way possible. Thank you!

[@tammymcpherson4451]

I am happy to see this video. I have been keeping about 5 years. Once I my T’s are past slings my set ups are ExoTerra’s filled with plants and BioDude products. I have lost count of people that have shamed me saying it is not healthy. I am glad I chose to keep in a way that made me and all my T’s happy

[@Billbeaux]

Love the vid! I've recently been moving in that direction of more naturalistic/bioactive enclosures as well. Where do you recommend getting the Exo-Terra stone desert substrate from?

[@rebel4466]

Arachnids are difficult in really finding out "what they need". I personally don't think that they have any benefits from a naturalistic VS a simple enclosure whatsoever. If the temps and humidity is okay and they have food, water and a hide, they simply don't care and from my experience aren't changing their behavior. But naturalistic enclosures simply look better and (if bioactive) are easy to maintain and will hold humidity very well. This kind of enclosure is a decorative piece, bringing a bit of rainforest into your house, which I like about it. I'm all for it, I just don't think the spider appreciates the work. Just look at your normal everyday spider in or outside. Sitting in a web in a corner of a basement isn't pure excitement. We probably wouldn't set up a basement corner enclosure though. Like I said, arachnids are very special in that regard. Most animals will appreciate the work you're putting in a lot more. Doesn't mean that they don't deserve it, even if it's just nicer for their audience

[@georgecardiff1946]

Brilliant video Richard, and a very exciting project, And I wish you the best of luck.

[@laurafranco7408]

Great video, Richard! What you are saying makes sense and is also how I’ve been keeping, successfully. Best wishes on your adventures going forward!

[@hippydippy5315]

I think what you're doing is amazing! I commented on a previous video, I wanna do as bioactive I can for my new curly hair rescue! Gunna start slow because of funds but also don't want to shock him with such a change from what he has now! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!! ❤

[@BrettOPediaTV]

yessss. It’s always the best day of the week when you post a video. So glad you’re successful and able to do what you love!!! When it comes to enclosures, I look at a few things… If the spider is very colorful and visible I put them in enclosures that are visually appealing so you can easily appreciate their beauty. If they’re more average looking or more fossorial I will give them a basic enclosure and enjoy them when it’s feeding time. :) Either way, I always give the tarantula a proper enclosure for their biological needs, size and temperament. :)

[@IrieRogue]

Holy cow, I can't wait to hear the podcast on tarantula cognition! Incredible!

[@learn-ds3kv]

All my Tarantulas also living in Bioactive enclosures ( i saw as a beginner Dark Dans channel) and they are a lot outside, use the whole space and some go for a Hunt, it's really wonderful to See and they are so dossle ♡

[@notsa118]

I love this channel and I believe you do the best job of keeping inverts around from what I’ve seen. Personally I would love to give my pets the best bioactive enclosure possible I’m just on a budget and also deployed so I have to stick to certain criteria. Thank you so much for the content and keep doin what you do sir. 😊

[@sparky426]

New tarantula keeper. Your advice has helped me so much. Thank you.

[@taramazzoni1304]

Spiders don't need enrichment.....rubbish! All animals, humans etc deserve enrichment. I love that you are doing this naturalist and bio active. It is great your spread this spider and invertebrates live ❤😊

[@tpiper1976]

Richard do you ever do tours of your collection? Unfortunately more ways than one all jokes aside I live in California. It also might be a way to fund your endeavor and keep the good informative videos coming! Thanks

[@fyrescu324]

AWESOME video! Could you do one on how you set up the enclosure with live plants and what you do to keep the plants growing while at the same time ensuring that the environment is good for the spiders? Love your videos!

[@tarantulacollective]

I sure will!

[@BuinidhMoChridheDoAlba]

Started going all natural a few months ago because of Dave's little beasties. I just make sure to get anything from somewhere I know that no chemicals affect anything. My spiders are so much more comfortable since. Only thing I buy is packs of spiderwood. My N.Chromatus has went all fossorial on us.

[@michaeltaylor2449]

AWESOME video mate them enclosures are AMAZING the plants help a lot humidity shade the roots hold the sub together the list goes on

[@Charliesreptiles597]

This video is just what I’m trying to do and your vids have helped my do them❤

[@kismets685]

I love this idea, and a misting system! I've been considering foggers. I'd be curious to learn about more on all enclosure enrichment techniques. I'm curious about thermo-gradients too!

[@MOONOVERMIAMI]

Hello great video information like the new place Richard

[@andyburns8869]

Really cool video - I'm highly keen on getting started in the hobby and starting with the Caribena Versicolor and you've given me something to consider when getting the enclosure setup! Thank you

[@jameswyatt2739]

This is the information that makes your work amazing. Thank you the information.

[@joshrado765]

I’m looking forward to this!!!

[@IsabelleHalverson]

i love that you made this video, personally I've been doing this from the beginning with my care, a large enriched enclosure is just as important as the food you give them. it is more expensive and harder to maintain easy for me form working professionally with reptiles and aqatics for years. I've worked with a lot of clients every new keeper is 100% into the only people that disagree with me are old minded out of date keepers who have kept their animals the same for 20-40 years and I can usually hook their mind if they actually listen because I know and can explain their nutrition and mental stimulation and how small plan spaces cause brain decay and depression the same way solitary confinement does to humans

[@IsabelleHalverson]

i do mix coconut fiber with my other substrates to save on money but id like to slowly move from that

[@georgehanson96]

Excellent video Richard. I’ve been slowly moving like across to more bioactive and naturalistic environments too. I seem to have tropical enclosures working fine, I just need to work more on more arid enclosures

[@daniebecker7704]

Thanks for the video, I try to put my T's in enclosures with as much natural seroundings as I can, and my T's are laid back and chilled. I have seldom any threat poses. I can walk past their enclosures and they don't even move for any safety. Thanks for all the great info. I really appreciate it.

[@leannweaver7807]

I usually start with a basic setup for my T's when they are slings, just so I can make sure they are growing healthy. But as they get bigger I start to lean more towards a natural setup. The only bioactive enclosure that I have is for my red tail boa, Ba ba, and I will say that I often see him cruising about his enclosure, which is a joy to watch and also aesthetically pleasing to see.

[@Beerad71]

I’ve had my corn snake for almost a year now, and always had her in a larger enclosure than she needed. I was told Maizey would get stressed out due to the size, but just like out in nature, if you provide plenty of “clutter” they’ll be the happiest little critters

[@amandalynn3066]

I love everything that you do and you’re a huge inspiration to me!

[@Nitnyline]

Best of Luck with this endeavor. Looking forward, in the years to come, for the empirical data on how the animals faired. As a guess I would say they will thrive and be very happy indeed, if they can be happy that is.

[@kayz9lul]

I keep mine in naturalistic and bioactive as well and haven’t ❤had any issues and look so cool!

[@johanneabelsen1644]

I've never been the skull/skeleton hand-in-the-enclosure person at all, so this makes me very happy. Plant-filled terrariums just look awesome, because they are pretty to look at ALL the time, including when T is sleeping/hiding.😊👍

[@Noktomo]

I like that y ou provide your animals a more natural/bigger enclosure with more enrichment. It never can be bad to reconstruct the natural habitate! Also I'm sad that the biodude doesn't ship international hence I'm from germany :( I've been looking for a good substrate now for a while. Thanks for your video as always, because of you I've got my first tarantulas (live active enclosures with live plants because I like the more natural style as well), I have now 8 of them, haha. Greetings!

[@Mr_herp]

I absolutely love your channel

[@tarantulacollective]

Thank you so much!

[@mustachadon]

I exspecially like the change to your substrit

[@99rainingflame]

I wish I could come visit and see in person. Would be so cool!

[@Timefortracy]

I would LOVE to see some more content showcasing your snakes! I think your enclosure setups for them sound awesome! I can see maybe not posting the videos all the time since your channel is tarantula focused, but maybe post some shorts occasionally! 🐍

[@tarantulacollective]

Will do. You can check out the videos I've already made about them here if you haven't seen them yet: kzbin.info/aero/PLjBrtja7Q8uh2AeXzwNe4rhTTq6i3jpk1

[@dmytrogenov]

Beautiful enclosures !!!

[@billnewsom1213]

Love what your doing , soo cool for the animals..

[@wpsreptiles]

100%!! I've been keeping animals bioactive for 10 years now and it's the way to go!! Still need to switch my snakes over but my lizards, tortoises and inverts are thriving!

[@ZoeBellCake]

Super curious how this ends up going for you. It's an incredible thing you're doing!

[@brandimyhren6317]

Makes perfect sense to me. I see a lot more of my adults and juvenile T’s since using bio dude and live plants along w naturalistic enclosures. They are out more in the day and exploring their enclosures using more of the enclosure to burrow and all around being more themselves. Aside I’ve never gotten from them using coco fiber and fake plants.

[@krism4467]

Please share the new rehousing system, I might apply it to. Thanks for the latest info.

[@maxdelta307]

I've been watching your videos as I am new to the hobby. I really liked this one a lot. After watching a few videos where people showing their collection in deli dishes I did not want that. I was questioning if what I wanted and my logic was off. I do not plan on keeping more than 2-3 and a Snake. So cost would be relatively low compared to those with 10-20 collection. Also thanks for introducing me to Biodude...

[@tarantulacollective]

Thanks for watching! The Bio Dude is great. I just built a bunch of enclosures today using their stuff. Once you go all natural, it is hard to go back to fake plants.

[@EFergDindrane]

Extremely interesting. I'd love to see a couple of those snake enclosures up close, as well. I don't have any snakes, but info is info, and I admire how they seem to support the animal. Also, for some reason, the Outback Red Desert Stone is so hard to find; I use it for my GBB because it looks more like the Venezuelan peninsula they're from to me, and I had to drive an hour to a pet store nearby, unless I had preferred a $40 delivery!

[@tarantulacollective]

I have a playlist of videos where you can watch me build them and get inside and check it out: kzbin.info/aero/PLjBrtja7Q8uh2AeXzwNe4rhTTq6i3jpk1

[@EFergDindrane]

@@tarantulacollective Sweet--thank you!!

[@C.S.M.Hageroth]

Good job Richard.

[@Star-ck7ey]

Hey, i recently got a Grammostola pulchripes and i wanna house it in a bioactive enclosure. My question is can the T survive in a bioactive enclosure? (It's a spiderling btw)

[@user-jj5hv5xr1vsigmamale]

Thanks so much fore making these vids I recently bot a Costa Rican zebra tarantula and u have given me some amazing advice pleas ceep up the videos

[@parbat8126]

I have both bioactive and naturalistic enclosures. For bioactive I use natural substrate collected from deep forest and works absolutely fine.

[@shannon3361]

Hi! Love your videos! Thank you for all the info! Do we only use springtails in humid enclosures then? Or would we want to use them for arid enclosures too? They help keep the mold down, right? Thanks!

[@LotLatz25]

This is a very good advice and will apply this to to my pets

[@stansmith3509]

I haven't been collecting T's for long but figure that with the time they spend building their burrows and even covering them up when it's time to molt, shows that they think. My first T was a M. robustum, dug a deep burrow and stays inside it. Then, I got an A. hentzi, dude is super chill. And, I got 2 slings, a B. smithi and an T. Albopilosus can't wait to see how they act.

[@meatmanofyork]

The enclosures look amazing, always been an advocate of more enrichment for any animal. The Bio-dude seems to be only in America, as a UK tarantula keeper; any recommended substrate for burrows and a substrate for each biome? Love the videos keep up the good work!

[@calibaby8090]

I’m new to tarantula keeping but I’ve always felt that an enclosure slightly big is absolutely fine. They live in the wild and face more threats and wide open space. I have a couple of mine in enclosure slightly big but they’re good and eating just fine. Should be happy and not confined. Working to have each one in their final enclosure to mimic their natural environment as much as I can.

[@YourLocalPondPimp]

i don’t understand how people say some of those things when the same animals live out in the wild loll people are silly, you’re enclosures look fantastic

[@Rinjii13]

I think one of the biggest questions is how do the plants remain unburied? A lot of my spiders are convinced that I must have planted meal worm seeds or something in the substrate. Digging and digging until they molt. And rearranging most everything...